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Mobile Home Energy and Comfort 11 10

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The More You Know... The More YOU’RE In Control

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You and Your Family Can Make the Difference If you would like to lower your utility bills and be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, this handbook is for you! It will show you and your family how to take control of energy usage.

There are lots of things you can do free of charge. In fact, some of the least expensive ideas actually save the most energy. When you look through this guide, think about the ideas that would work for your family and your lifestyle. The decision is yours—you are the one that can make the difference.

In this handbook, we’ll show which weatherization measures may be installed in your home and how to get the most savings from them. We’ll also talk about how to use your major appliances more efficiently and spend less.

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Space Heat 46%

Misc. 8%

Dryers 3%

Lights 6%

Cooling 6%

Cooking 5%

Refrigerator & Freezers 11% Water Heat 15%

The Household Energy Dollar You can stop wasting money right now! All it takes is equipping your house to do a better job of keeping you warm at a price you can afford. You can be comfortable and still save the energy and money. The following pages will provide tips to savings in these areas: • House heating • Water heating • Appliance usage • Weatherization

Help Your Furnace Save You Energy Your furnace supplies heat to keep you comfortable. If the house is free of drafts and well insulated, the furnace will do a better job of keeping you warm. There are many ways to help your furnace work more efficiently and burn less fuel. The most important thing you can do is: Take Control of Your Thermostat: Setting the thermostat temperature back to a lower setting and leaving it there will always save you money. There are potential energy savings on your heating bill of 1–2 percent per degree of setback. Aim at setting your thermostat at 68 degrees. A warm sweater may be the only requirement. ENERGY TIP: Lowering the thermostat an additional 10 degrees at night or while away could provide additional savings of $40 to $60 a year.

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Take Care of Your Furnace The furnace is the heart of comfort in your house. You can help to keep it working right by: Changing the Filter: The air filter in the furnace removes the dust from the air that is drawn back from the house to be reheated. Check the filter once a month to see if it is clogged up with dirt. A dirty filter in the furnace is like trying to breathe through a dusty handkerchief. Clean or change your filter frequently.

Vent

Return Air Grill

WARNING: It may be unsafe to install a filter on some furnaces— check with a furnace technician before installing. Keep the Registers Clear: Be careful not to block return air registers or hot air supply registers with furniture, draperies or carpeting. Keep registers clean or replace them if they are restricting air flow.

Furnace Filter

Seal Leaky Hot Air Ducts: The cracks where the ducts join together and where the ducts connect to the floor leak air. Seal these areas, with mastic duct sealant or high quality foil tape so heat isn’t wasted. If ducts are disconnected, they should be repaired. Also be sure that there are no obstructions inside the ducts and the louvers on the registers are operable.

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Warning! Weatherized homes have a relatively low rate of air exchange. As a result, wood stoves and unvented kerosene or gas space heaters should not be used. Serious and life threatening indoor air quality problems can occur. In the event of an emergency need for heat, use electric heaters. If, despite this warning, you choose to use a wood stove or an unvented kerosene or gas space heater, be sure to implement the following guidelines: • Keep a window partially open to provide ventilation. • Be sure to use the proper fuel for the type of heater. It could be dangerous if you don’t. • Gas heaters should not be used at all if they have a fluttering or yellow flame. • Stop using the heater if you smell fumes, have headaches or dizziness, or your eyes sting. • Be sure to keep flammable materials, such as drapes, a safe distance from heaters.

Reading Your Meter—It’s Important All this information on how to save money and energy is good only if your utility company can provide you with accurate monthly bills. If the gas or electric meter is inside your home or behind a locked fence, consistent meter reading may be difficult. If you receive an estimated or a “skip”

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billing, please contact your utility company as soon as possible. They have programs available that will provide the meter readings they need and keep you informed of your monthly usage. This is just one more way to take control of your bill.

Choose Alternate Heat Wisely Electricity is very expensive when used for heating. A gas furnace can give you the same amount of heat for about one-half one-third the cost of running electric heaters. Even one small heater used at night can cost from $15 to $25 per month. The only time space heaters should be used is when you are trying to heat a small space (like the bathroom in the morning) and want to leave your house thermostat on a l setting. A very low cost solution in a bedroom is to use an electric blanket or electric mattress, cover in place of an electric heater. Using an electric blanket every night will cost about $2 per month. Waterbeds are an expensive form of space heating. One waterbed can cost you $10 to $15 per month during the heating season. Make sure to keep the bed made up so uses less energy to stay warm. You can also use a heavy insulating pad between the waterbag and your sheets and just turn the heater down or off. An old sleeping bag can do this trick. ENERGY TIP: On wood-sided waterbeds, install one inch rigid insulation board between the wood and the waterbag. It makes a great insulator.

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Insulated Hot & Cold Water Pipes

Don’t Pour Your Water Heating Dollars Down the Drain Except for the furnace, the water heater takes the biggest bite of energy dollars. There are two ways to save money: • Heat the water more efficiently • Use hot water as wisely as possible

Insulating Jacket

Take Control of Your Thermostat: Turn the thermostat setting down as low as you can without running out of hot water. We recommend that you try 120 degrees first. My water heater setting should be _________.

Gas Line

Insulate Your Water Heater: An insulating Temperature blanket will help keep the water in the tank warm. Control Be sure to follow the directions that come with the Dial insulating blanket. For gas water heaters, you must not cover the following areas: • The top of the tank • Below the drain • The combustion air opening Combustion • The temperature dial Air Source • The pilot light access plate • The drain valve • The pressure-temperature relieve valve For electric water heaters, you must not cover: • Below the drain • The temperature dial • The drain valve • The control access plate • The pressure-temperature relieve valve ENERGY TIP: Wrapping your tank can save $16 to $24 each year. Triple these savings for electric water heaters. Wrap Those Pipes: Insulate the first few feet of both the hot and cold water pipes that come out of the top of your water heater. Both of these pipes drain heat away from the water in the tank. Keep wrap 6” from the flue on gas water heaters.

Stop Those Leaks: One drip per second can waste all the hot water in the tank in less than a week! To replace a worn out washer, all you need is a screwdriver and 10¢ for a new washer. Install Water Flow Restrictors: Installing flow restrictors on the bath and kitchen faucets can save up to 5,000 gallons a year. Using one water conservation showerhead can save up to $24 in the first year, and with a good product, shower quality is not sacrificed. Turn Off the Water: Letting the water run while you shave or brush your teeth is like pouring money down the drain.

WARNING: Be sure that there is adequate combustion air for gas water heaters. Showers Are the Best Buy: Showers can use half as much water as a bath. Take a shower with the drain closed and see how much less water your shower takes.

Replace Worn Washer

Screw on Flow Restrictor

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Weatherizing Your Home Every home has air leaks, because every home has cracks between walls, floors, roofs, windows and doors. Once your home is tightened up, you will need to maintain it with annual check-ups to make sure it stays tight and weather proof. Use your hand to check for drafts on a cold and windy day. There are many materials to stop drafts. Seal leaky ductwork with mastic or foil tape. Apply tube caulk around the interior frames of windows and doors, along baseboards and any hole or crack that is smaller than the width of a pencil. For large cracks, foam rope can be installed before caulking. Long term maintenance of the weatherization measures will ensure continued savings and comfort.

WARM AIR LEAVES HOME THROUGH GAPS AT THE CEILING LEVEL

COLD AIR ENTERS HOME THROUGH GAPS IN THE LOWER LEVEL

Weatherizing and Indoor Air Quality Some ventilation and air circulation is important in order to maintain good indoor air quality. To prevent the build-up of moisture, tobacco smoke and other indoor pollutants. It is important to keep all bath, kitchen and other exhaust fans clean and operable. If you have a very tight home these systems will need to be operated frequently. Your weatherization technician can advise you on the tightness of your home and proper fan operation.

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Working with Mother Nature You can have a more comfortable home if you control the weather around it. You say, “I cannot control the weather.” But think about it. Isn’t it cooler sitting in the shade than in the sun? Plant a tree, some ivy or build an awning to guard against

the sun’s summertime heat. Maybe you can build a fence to block the winter’s wind. In cold bedrooms rearrange the bed and other furniture away from drafty windows and outside walls. And most importantly, use the sun’s heat in the wintertime to warm your house by opening window coverings on south facing walls.

Ceiling Because hot air rises, holes in the ceiling (such as air conditioning or ventilation shafts) cause major leaks directly to the outside. It’s very important to caulk or patch these holes. The opening around the furnace flue should be sealed with materials that can withstand high temperatures. Be sure to use an interior cover for the swamp cooler or air conditioner during the heating season. A good amount of ceiling insulation can keep your home much warmer in winter. It also keeps you cooler in summer by keeping the hot air outside.

Floor A cold floor is like cold feet. It can make the rest of the house feel cold. Seal leaks in the ductwork and around plumbing pipes. Floor insulation helps to keep the floor warm in winter and it also insulates the furnace ducts.

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Walls Common wall leaks include holes for pipes and electrical outlets and loose paneling. Seal holes for plumbing pipes and re-nail wall panels where necessary. Drafts through electrical outlets can be contained by installing foam gaskets between the wall and the outlet. Adequate wall insulation will help your home to be more comfortable year round.

Doors Like windows, doors must close tightly to keep out the cold. • Caulk all cracks between the interior frame and the wall with tube caulk • Install weatherstripping to seal gaps between the door and frame • Make sure the door sweep seals the gap between the door and the floor If the door does not close easily, it may not be hung properly. The hinges could be loose or the lock may not catch properly. These basic repairs need to be made before the door is weatherized.

Windows Tighten your primary windows first. Then consider inside storm windows. • Repair cracked or broken glass • Caulk cracks around the window frame with tube caulk • Lock your windows to make them tighter After tightening the window, check again for drafts by holding your hand up and feeling for cold air. Windows should be leak-free before you consider other window treatments. If you have interior storm windows, install them during cold weather. If you ever have to replace a window consider a replacement window that comes with a self-storing storm window attached.

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Appliance Tips The cost to operate appliances and lights may be almost as much as the cost to heat your home and the water you use. Here are some tips to keep appliance costs down. Refrigerator/Freezer: That extra refrigerator or freezer may be costing much more than you know. If you don’t really need it, unplug it and watch your bill go down. The refrigerator and freezer operate best when they are full but not overcrowded. ENERGY TIP: If there isn’t much food in the freezer, you can help by filling milk cartons three-fourths full with water and tucking them in the empty areas of your freezer. Defrost the freezer regularly. More than onefourth inch of frost build-up wastes energy and money. Unplug your refrigerator and vacuum the dust off the coils twice a year.

Check door gaskets to make sure they are sealing tightly. Replace them if they are torn or broken. If the seal is just hardened and is not doing the job, try warming it with a hair dryer and stretching it but by hand. ENERGY TIP: If a dollar bill removes easily from a closed refrigerator door, the gaskets are too loose.

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Washing and Drying Your Clothes: If the washer has a water level setting, adjust it to the size of your load. The washer will work more efficiently if you wash only full loads. Cold Water Wash: If you wash all your clothes in cold water instead of hot, you could save about $80 a year for a family of four. Diapers and some really dirty clothes may need hot water, but most come clean just fine in cold water. Try different detergents to see which ones work best in cold water. Clothes dryers are expensive to run, so use a clothes line whenever you can. You can always fluff the laundry in the dryer for a couple of minutes on the air setting after they’re dry. When you use the dryer, separate loads into fast and slow drying items. Think about buying a gas dryer when you need to replace your dryer. They cost about one-third one-half as much to operate as electric dryers. Cooking Efficiently and Safely: Keep the oven door closed while cooking. A peek makes you lose about 25 degrees in temperature. Use a timer instead. Use the right sized burners for your pans. Cover the pans while cooking. Turn your oven off

ten minutes early—there’s plenty of heat to finish the job. MYTH: The oven always needs preheating. When practical, substitute small appliances such as toasters, crockpots and microwaves for your range. These appliances use less energy! WARNING: Never use the oven for warming up your house. It is very dangerous and costly.

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Dishwashing Tips: Hand washing usually uses less water than automatic dishwashers, provided you don’t leave the faucet running while rinsing the dishes. Running the automatic dishwasher when it’s full makes the best use of water and energy. Allow dishes to air dry and save half the cost per load. Household Lighting: Get in the habit of turning off lights whenever leaving the room. Use lower wattage bulbs whenever possible. They cost less to operate. Fluorescent lights use much less energy than incandescent bulbs. You can find some that can screw into your existing fixtures. Use them wherever you leave lights on for at least three hours—like the kitchen .or basement. Installing outdoor solar lighting is an inexpensive way to provide automatic safety and security for your home.

ENERGY TIP: Remember, the cheapest form of lighting is natural light. Cooling Options: The most expensive way to cool your home is with an air conditioner. You An could run seven fans(swamp for whatcooler) it costs can to run evaporative cooler doone theair job for you for about one-fourth the cost. You could run conditioner! seven fans for what it costs to run one air conditioner! Air conditioners conditionersshould and evaporative coolers Air be maintained to need maintenance every year to perform perform efficiently. Check with your dealer or call efficiently. Check with your dealer or call a a service firm to see which things you can do service firm to see which things you can do yourself. yourself. Open windows at night to provide as much cool air ventilation as possible. Close windows, doors and drapes during the heat of the day. Shading for south facing windows is particularly important. Painting the roof white does an excellent job of reflecting summer heat.

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Frequently Asked Questions ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Energy the tank if Assistance it feels warm, wrap it!

Q: Someone told me that it's better to keep my thermostat set at one temperature, is this true? A: More TypicallyInformation you will save more by lowering For On: your thermostat if you are going to be away for • To receive Weatherization in Colorado or for than one hour. assistance in paying yourEnergy utility bill, Madison Gas and Electric Home Linecall 1-866-HEATHELP (866-432-8435). 252-7117 Q: Will I save money by closing offRebates, heat registers • Energy Conservation and Tax conin unused rooms? tact DOE at 1-800-dial-DOE (800-342Energy Services County) A: 5363) One must(Dane be careful, you could upset the 267-8601 balance of your heating system • Indoor Air Quality, contact and EPAdo at more 1-800www.epa.gov/iaq harm 438-4318 than good. or This is usually done more for comfort than as a way to save energy.

Households with low to moderate income may be eligible tell you the existing R-value. If its R-7 or for energyand assistance from thewarm Wisconsin Home Energy greater doesn’t feel to the touch, Assistance Program. Many households with income from don’t wrap it. farms, offices, factories and other workplaces receive this assistance that helps with space heating and electricity costs. Funds are limited, so apply early while E$P Weatherization Agencies money is still available (October 15 to May 15).

Q: Since my dryer exhaust is warm, can I use it Frequently Asked Questions to help heat my home? Q: Someone told me that it’s better to keep my A: Although exhaust is warm, carries thermostat set atdryer one temperature, is thisittrue? harmful chemicals and damaging moisture. A: Typically you will save more by It is better to exhaust it outdoors.if you are going to lowering your thermostat

be away for more than one hour. Q: Moisture and mold always forms on my Q: Will I save money by why closing off heat window frames in the winter, is this? registers in unused rooms? A: There are several possible reasons, but A: One must be careful, you could upset most likely it's because your window frames are the balance of your heating system and do metal,harm your exterior wallsThis lack is insulation so more than good. usually and done warm for moist air trapped yourto home more comfort thaninside as a way save energy. condenses on cold surfaces like your windows. If it gets cold enough it may freeze on the frames Since my dryer exhaust warm,your can I use it andQ: sills of your windows. TIP:isCover to help heat my home? windows with thick drapes or curtains, insulate A: Although dryer exhaust is warm, it exteriorharmful walls if possible, runand exhaust fans or carries chemicals damaging crack openItais window ventilate excess moisture. bettertotohelp exhaust it outdoors. moisture out of your home.

Q: Moisture and mold always forms on my Q: How do I in know my water needs to be window frames the ifwinter, whyheater is this? A: There are severalblanket? possible reasons, but wrapped with an insulation most because window frames A: likely If yourits water heateryour is located outside the are metal, your exterior walls lack insulation heated space of your home (e.g. garage or crawl and so warm moist air trapped inside your space) it probably needs a blanket. To double home condenses on cold surfaces like your check; putIfyour hand on the side ofitthe tank if it windows. it gets cold enough may freeze feels warm, wrap it! on the frames and sills of your windows. TIP:Also, Cover your with thick drapestell or read the windows labels on the tank, it should curtains, insulate exterior walls if possible, you the existing R-value. If it's R-7 or greater and run exhaust fans to orthe crack open a window doesn't feel warm touch, don't wrap it. to help ventilate excess moisture out of your home. Q: How do I know if my water heater needs to be wrapped with an insulation blanket? A: If your water heater is located outside the heated space of your home (e.g. garage or crawl space) it probably needs a blanket. To double check; put your hand on the side of

Also, read the labels on the tank, it should

Denver Metro

• Sun Power Inc. For more information or to apply for energy assistance, (303) 382-1514 call the office in your county. If you are handicapped, call Serves: Denver and Jefferson County to schedule a home visit.

• Housing & Community Development Service @ - Dane County...........................................(608) 267-8601 (303) 365-1678 - Columbia County....................................(608) Serves: Adams and Arapahoe County742-4088 - Crawford County.....................................(608) • Longs Peak Energy Conservation 326-0248 - Iowa County............................................(608) 935-9311 (303) 441-1716 - Juneau County........................................(608) 847-5988 Serves: Boulder, Gilpin and Larimer County - Monroe County.......................................(608) 269-5021 Colorado -Southern Sauk County...........................................(608) 356-8887 • Energy Resource Center - Vernon County........................................(608) 637-5210

(719) 587-9492 Serves: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Mineral, Rio Grand, Saguache and Teller County Dane County of Human • Pueblo In County Department Services Call to schedule an appointment (719) 583-6110 Serves: Baca, Crowley, Custer, (608)Bent, 267-8601 Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo County Appointments are taken at:

Eastern Colorado Energy Services,Association Inc. • Northeast Colorado of Local 1225 South Park Street Governments (970) 867-9409 Madison, WIx230 53715 Serves: Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma County

For More Information Central Colorado • Northwest Colorado Council of Madison Gas and Electric Home Energy Line Governments 252-7117 800-332-3669 x103

Serves: Chaffee, Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Moffat, Park, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit County

Western Colorado • Housing Resources of Western Colorado (970) 241-2871 Serves: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel Counties

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Printing provided by Madison Gas and Electric Company.

Produced by the Energy $avings Partners Program of Colorado (Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Xcel Energy, and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program under Colorado Department of Human Services). Illustrations by Carol Kimball and Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) of Philadelphia. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Colorado Energy Coalition and the ECA of Philadelphia, responsible for the original creation of this handbook.

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Weatherization Checklist Insulation 1 Ceiling 2 Belly 3 Sidewalls

Distribution 4 Seal Ductwork 5 Check Filters

Heat 6 Set Back Thermostat 7 Furnace Tune-up

Roof/Ceiling 8 Repair Leaks 9 Install Swamp Cooler Cover

Windows 10 Repair 11 Install Storm Windows

Doors 12 Repair 13 Weatherstrip

Hot Water 14 15 16 17

Insulate Tank Insulate Water Pipes Insulate Compartment Door Set Back Thermostat

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